Mitchell Robinson’s broken right pinky puts Knicks’ NBA Finals rotation in jeopardy ahead of Game 1: reports

New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson has suffered a broken right pinky finger, and no timetable for his return has been established, according to multiple reports. The injury threatens the availability of one of the team’s key frontcourt pieces as the Knicks prepare for their first NBA Finals appearance in nearly three decades, with Game 1 scheduled for June 3.

Robinson serves primarily as the backup center behind Karl-Anthony Towns, though head coach Mike Brown has also deployed both big men simultaneously in certain situations. In the Eastern Conference Finals sweep of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Robinson averaged 4.5 points and 5.8 rebounds across 13.3 minutes per game, and he appeared in 13 of the Knicks’ 14 playoff games heading into the Finals. Should he be unable to play, Ariel Hukporti is the most likely candidate to absorb those minutes off the bench, though Hukporti has seen limited action and has not featured in competitive situations late in the postseason run.

The Knicks’ Finals opponent will be determined by the outcome of the Western Conference Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs. Both teams present significant frontcourt challenges: the Thunder feature Isaiah Hartenstein and Chet Holmgren, while the Spurs are anchored by Victor Wembanyama, who stands 7-foot-4. Robinson’s rim-running and rebounding presence would carry added weight against either opponent.

The Knicks have not confirmed the extent of the injury publicly, and Robinson’s status for Game 1 on June 3 remains open. The franchise and its supporters will be monitoring his recovery closely in the days before the series opens.